Alaska Airlines to offer new daily route between Baltimore and Seattle

Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun

Alaska Airlines will begin offering daily flights between Baltimore and Seattle on Sept. 2 as part of a broader expansion of destination options from its West Coast hub, the airline announced Friday.

The new route is the first Alaska Airlines will operate out of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Officials at the airport have long been courting the airline.

In the past several months, the airline has added five routes out of Seattle, where it is based, while shuttering several routes elsewhere — including in California and between Portland and other cities.

"By exiting underperforming markets, we're able to redeploy aircraft and begin flying to new and underserved markets from Seattle," said Andrew Harrison, the airline's vice president of planning and revenue management, in a statement.

The new route connecting BWI fliers to Seattle will consist of a daily 8:15 a.m. departure from Seattle to Baltimore and a daily 5:10 p.m. departure from Baltimore to Seattle, the airline said.

Members of the airline's Mileage Plan will be offered double miles on the new routes, it said.

In a statement, Paul Wiedefeld, the airport's CEO, said BWI is "thrilled" to welcome its newest carrier.

"Alaska Airlines is widely recognized as a friendly, innovative, customer-focused airline," Wiedefeld said. "Their approach is a good match for the convenience and customer service that we offer at BWI Marshall."

Gov. Martin O'Malley, in his own statement, said the new service "will enhance BWI Marshall as a key economic generator for Maryland and the entire National Capital region."